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Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Crumpets For Me!

Tea and crumpets
I love reading books that have great food descriptions in them. I love food and it is one of the details I love to see in the background of a story. Growing up I read many English literature books and was always interested in what the people had for "tea". I was especially interested in crumpets since I had never seen or had them before. I imagined all kinds of cookies, cakes and such when I heard the word. I was very disappointed when I finally had one and found that they were like English muffins. Not one of my favorites.

Then I was reading one of Anne Perry's William Monk books. In it Hester was snatching a precious moment to herself and got to eat a hot crumpet with her tea. This was a rare treat for her. She described the crumpet with it's crispness and softness and the hot, melted butter that was in danger of running down her elbows if she didn't hold it just right and eat it quickly enough. I was sold on crumpets right there.
Now, after some searching, I have found a recipe that I like and I can enjoy a crumpet to myself (or with my kids). I hold it just right and eat it quickly to prevent the pool of melted butter from dripping on my hand and running down to my elbow.
I did have to do some searching.
The first recipe I found to way too much time, 3 hours from start to first crumpet.
Sorry!
When I want a crumpet I want it now not at next meal time.
Then I found the baking powder versions and was so excited.
However, I found that many of these sacrificed flavor and many of them tasted like flour paste. That is NOT good eats.
I have found some medium ground though.
I found some recipes that use both yeast and baking powder.
The time is cut down to 15 minutes and the flavor is fabulous.
I have found that those that call for eggs taste the very best.
So.....
Here is my recipe for crumpet, whole wheat crumpets no less.
(white flour can be substituted or mixed half and half with the wheat.)

Miss Lucy's
Whole Wheat Crumpets

4 cups flour
(whole wheat, white, or a mix of both)
3 cups hot water
2 tsp yeast
2 tsp sugar
2 tsp salt
2 Tbsp baking powder
6 eggs
9 Tbsp Non-instant powdered milk (1 cup instant)
2 Tbsp oil or melted butter

In the hot water (not too hot or you will kill the yeast) add the sugar, eggs, oil and yeast. Mix well and set aside.
In a large bowl mix the flour, baking powder, salt and powdered milk.
Add to the water mixture and mix well.
Let the mixture stand for 15 minutes.

Prepare your griddle or large frying pan by heating it on medium for several minutes.
Oil your crumpet rings. I do this by pouring some oil into a small bowl and dipping or rolling the rings in the oil to coat. Set the rings on the hot griddle for a few seconds before adding the batter.
When the time is up, add a scoop of batter to each oiled ring. The rings should be half filled.
Cook at medium heat until the edges start to look "dry" and they have holes in them.

Crumptes 001


Remove the rings with tongs or pliers.
crumpets 002
Flip the crumpets and bake on the other side.
Serve hot with butter and jam.

crumpets 005

Enjoy!
** Hot milk can be substituted for the hot water and powdered milk. (It is winter here now and fresh milk is not as abundant as it is in the summertime. We don't buy milk from sthe store, only the dairy.)

9 comments:

Lace and Books said...

OHHHHH, they are English muffins...cool.

Alphacyg said...

Now, I have to give in and buy the rings...can I at least call them strumpets?

Marylois said...

We love crumpets!!!. I think we will have some for dinner! with strawberry freezer jam! yummmmmmm!

Kathy said...

That's so cute! It looks like a fluffy pancake.

Anonymous said...

The James Beard cookbook - Beard on Bread has a good crumpet recipe. You can use tuna fish tins for the circles. Spray them with Pam before using and let them heat before pouring in the batter. Be sure to remove both ends from the can so that all that remains is the circle.

Lucy said...

I have his cookbook or at least one of them. I will have to go look it up.

Cheryl from Dots Charm said...

Yum!

Merry Mama said...

Having never had one, I, too, have always thought that "crumpets" sounded more decadent than what you described. :-)
Thanks for sharing your work in finding a good recipe...can't wait to try.
www.merrilyaswego.blogspot.com

mely said...

I had never had these little morsels. I guess is time to try them.

Thanks for the recipe.

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